Recently Introduced Q7 Sport-Utility Vehicle
Becomes Second Vehicle to Feature Safety Innovation
WARREN, Ohio, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi's penchant for bringing new
vehicles to market with differentiating, leading-edge technology is allowing
Delphi Corporation to establish in the industry the more prominent presence of
an automotive safety innovation designed to help mitigate short circuiting in
collision events.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO )
Having helped Delphi mark the global debut of its Battery Disconnect
Safety Device in 2004, Audi has expanded its use of the unique technology for
the 2006 model year, featuring it on its most recent introduction, the first
sport-utility vehicle offered by the brand. The Audi Q7, which made its
official world debut last September at the 61st International Motor Show in
Frankfurt, Germany, will be available in 2006 with the Battery Disconnect
Safety Device.
This brings to two the number of Audi vehicles carrying the safety
innovation. The Audi A6 begins its second year of utilizing the Battery
Disconnect Safety Device after the technology was launched on the 2005 model,
one that marked a redesign of the passenger car.
"Audi has forged a leadership position in the marketplace with its ability
to integrate the most advanced technology into vehicles that enhance the wide
spectrum of attributes important to consumers, such as performance, comfort
and convenience, and safety," said Stefaan Vandevelde, managing director of
European operations at Delphi's Packard Electric division.
"We are very encouraged by the confidence shown in our Battery Disconnect
innovation, the value Audi places in having this safety feature included in
their dynamic line-up of vehicles, and the role we play in being part of the
exciting Q7's launch into the performance and luxury SUV market."
Activated during a collision event, the Battery Disconnect Safety Device
is designed to help prevent potential short circuits, providing circuit
protection for the cables connecting the battery to the vehicle's starter,
alternator and electrical centers. It performs this through the utilization of
a small pyrotechnic charge that quickly and safely disconnects protected
circuits.
Robert DeAnna, business line manager for electrical centers at Delphi,
noted that most automotive battery cables have no circuit protection between
the battery and starter, due primarily to the inrush current experienced at
vehicle crank. "This leaves this battery cable vulnerable to a short circuit
resulting from a collision," DeAnna said. "This short circuit would result in
a collapse of the vehicle's system voltage and in some cases can result in a
post collision fire."
Operation of Delphi's Battery Disconnect Safety Device begins with the
triggering of the unit by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which receives
information from sensors in the vehicle and determines whether to send
electronic signals to the airbags and/or the Battery Disconnect system. At the
heart of the Battery Disconnect unit is a specially configured high-current
conductor; in the Audi A6 application, for example, it is housed in a small
fuse center near the vehicle's trunk-mounted battery. The pyrotechnic pressure
drives a piston that cuts the conductor in less than a millisecond after
activation occurs, disconnecting un-fused cables from the battery before
collision-induced damage can cause a short circuit.
Delphi's Battery Disconnect Safety Device can be tailored to any typical
automotive and commercial vehicle application, and it complies with all common
initiator specifications in the industry. Load circuit interrupt testing has
been performed to 2,500 amps.
For more information on Delphi Corporation (OTC: DPHIQ), go to
http://www.delphi.com
Forward-looking statement
This press release as well as other statements made by Delphi may contain
forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that reflect, when made, the
Company's current views with respect to current events and financial
performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may
be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's
operations and business environment which may cause the actual results of the
Company to be materially different from any future results, express or
implied, by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to, the following: the ability of the Company to continue
as a going concern; the ability of the Company to operate pursuant to the
terms of the debtor-in-possession (DIP) facility; the Company's ability to
obtain court approval with respect to motions in the chapter 11 proceeding
prosecuted by it from time to time; the ability of the Company to develop,
prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with
respect to the chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking
and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period
for the Company to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization,
for the appointment of a chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to chapter
7 cases; the ability of the Company to obtain and maintain normal terms with
vendors and service providers; the Company's ability to maintain contracts
that are critical to its operations; the potential adverse impact of the
chapter 11 cases on the Company's liquidity or results of operations; the
ability of the Company to fund and execute its business plan; the ability of
the Company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates;
and the ability of the Company to attract and retain customers. Other risk
factors are listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including,
but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2004 and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports
on Form 8-K. Delphi disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any
reorganization plan ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of the
Company's various pre-petition liabilities, common stock and/or other equity
securities. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be
ascribed in the bankruptcy proceedings to each of these constituencies.
Accordingly, the Company urges that the appropriate caution be exercised with
respect to existing and future investments in any of these liabilities and/or
securities.
SOURCE Delphi Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.delphi.com/media
http://www.delphi.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
Doug Hoy of Delphi Corporation,
+1-330-373-7647, douglas.d.hoy@delphi.com
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